Trying to make his mama happy and be excited about hiking?
A rare shot of me....
19 Fabulous Soups for Fall!
1 day ago
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Garden of the Gods
We finally unpacked the wires for the card reader.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
What to do...
We wanted to do something fun today, but then reality set in. We have to get unpacked before school starts, and potty training isn't any fun while on the go.
We unpacked.
Went to Walmart.
Went to the commissary.
Had 6 accidents with Junior. Ugh. He was great all day yesterday while we were shopping, but today he had no interest in it. He even started screaming "I don't want to use the potty".
Nope, the m&m's aren't working. Reading books while he sits there works for a bit.
He won't poop on there. We'll keep plugging away.
There are a bunch of girls Ab's age in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, she's not very social, so while she always leaves to play with them, within 5 minutes she has wandered off by herself and discovered something new and exciting.
They want to play house, and she doesn't want to be bothered with that.
I went to visit my friend Jessie yesterday that lives here. We met when we both worked at the Consulate in Germany, and have kept in touch all these years. We talked, we laughed, we cried. I'm glad I have a friend here that I can count on and knows me and accepts it all. Now 11 years later we finally live in the same town, just 20 minutes apart. Who would have thought?
Gunner wants to go to Pikes Peak tomorrow. I asked him if he was planning on taking the cog or driving. He votes for driving. Ummmm.....his driving around town scares me! I went up Pikes Peak when I was a kid, and I remember my brother telling me that the road was straight up. I believed him and strapped myself down in our old Dodge van. Then when we got up to the top he told me that I would blow off and never be seen again. I was 7 and gullible. We got to the top, went out for a walk, he told me how I could blow away, and I proceeded to walk around on my hands and knees. I told the girls this story and they looked at me like I was insane. Great.
I'm thinking Pikes Peak will have to hold off till Junior is a little bit more potty trained. Let's hope he starts making some progress soon!
We unpacked.
Went to Walmart.
Went to the commissary.
Had 6 accidents with Junior. Ugh. He was great all day yesterday while we were shopping, but today he had no interest in it. He even started screaming "I don't want to use the potty".
Nope, the m&m's aren't working. Reading books while he sits there works for a bit.
He won't poop on there. We'll keep plugging away.
There are a bunch of girls Ab's age in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, she's not very social, so while she always leaves to play with them, within 5 minutes she has wandered off by herself and discovered something new and exciting.
They want to play house, and she doesn't want to be bothered with that.
I went to visit my friend Jessie yesterday that lives here. We met when we both worked at the Consulate in Germany, and have kept in touch all these years. We talked, we laughed, we cried. I'm glad I have a friend here that I can count on and knows me and accepts it all. Now 11 years later we finally live in the same town, just 20 minutes apart. Who would have thought?
Gunner wants to go to Pikes Peak tomorrow. I asked him if he was planning on taking the cog or driving. He votes for driving. Ummmm.....his driving around town scares me! I went up Pikes Peak when I was a kid, and I remember my brother telling me that the road was straight up. I believed him and strapped myself down in our old Dodge van. Then when we got up to the top he told me that I would blow off and never be seen again. I was 7 and gullible. We got to the top, went out for a walk, he told me how I could blow away, and I proceeded to walk around on my hands and knees. I told the girls this story and they looked at me like I was insane. Great.
I'm thinking Pikes Peak will have to hold off till Junior is a little bit more potty trained. Let's hope he starts making some progress soon!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Houston, we have preschool
I found preschool for Junior. Two days a week for three hours until they have an opening for the three day a week. It's on the place where we live, so it's convenient, across from the fitness center, and not far from home. Those three hours will go fast, but Junior needs the interaction....and most importantly, I need a break!
We started potty training again. Well, we didn't actually start until this afternoon, but it's a step in the right direction....again.
We are armed with new Sesame Street underwear, the potty, a bag of m&m's, and a 4 day weekend. Wish us luck.
The first time he wanted to stand up and go like the little boy Michael in his potty book. No one told me I needed to teach him to control it! It was like a wild fire hose, and our living room was covered in pee. Good times.
The preschool says they don't even have a diaper changing table in there, but they will work with me to get him potty trained aka your son will be potty trained ASAP because we don't want to change diapers. I'm so ready to be done with diapers too.
We got Em signed up for her electives today. She wants a year of French, but it depends on whether or not they have 20 people and can hold the class. If not, she will take Spanish.
Random happenings in our household:
Junior carried a stick around and tries to change people into things when he gets mad. The magic word is apparently "Poop". He just can't get that F sound.
Abs's nail biting has gotten worse. She is chewing them down till they bleed. I'm at a loss as to what to do.
Gunner was joking around with Abs and asked her if she needed to wear deoderant. She said "Maybe, sometimes my armpits smell like burritos." My baby is growing up. Sad thing is, I could never trust her with a stick of deoderant, she would probably color her floor with it, carve hieroglyphic designs in it, or create a pattern on the floor of the bathroom to see if it really repelled water. I don't think her school knows what they have in store for them.
So You Think You Can Dance always makes me cry at the finale. I need a life.
I hate Staff Duty and CQ because Gunner is always a grump the next day.
Em was riding her bike yesterday and wanted to borrow my ipod. It was dead from the last time she borrowed it. Of course a pre-teen girl can't ride a bike without music, so she took a short wave radio that my dad gave me almost 15 years ago and tied it to her handlebars with a bandanna. She was happy. I was happy she came up with a solution and it didn't cost me any money. She's a hoot.
Tomorrow is school clothes shopping. I can hardly wait.
We started potty training again. Well, we didn't actually start until this afternoon, but it's a step in the right direction....again.
We are armed with new Sesame Street underwear, the potty, a bag of m&m's, and a 4 day weekend. Wish us luck.
The first time he wanted to stand up and go like the little boy Michael in his potty book. No one told me I needed to teach him to control it! It was like a wild fire hose, and our living room was covered in pee. Good times.
The preschool says they don't even have a diaper changing table in there, but they will work with me to get him potty trained aka your son will be potty trained ASAP because we don't want to change diapers. I'm so ready to be done with diapers too.
We got Em signed up for her electives today. She wants a year of French, but it depends on whether or not they have 20 people and can hold the class. If not, she will take Spanish.
Random happenings in our household:
Junior carried a stick around and tries to change people into things when he gets mad. The magic word is apparently "Poop". He just can't get that F sound.
Abs's nail biting has gotten worse. She is chewing them down till they bleed. I'm at a loss as to what to do.
Gunner was joking around with Abs and asked her if she needed to wear deoderant. She said "Maybe, sometimes my armpits smell like burritos." My baby is growing up. Sad thing is, I could never trust her with a stick of deoderant, she would probably color her floor with it, carve hieroglyphic designs in it, or create a pattern on the floor of the bathroom to see if it really repelled water. I don't think her school knows what they have in store for them.
So You Think You Can Dance always makes me cry at the finale. I need a life.
I hate Staff Duty and CQ because Gunner is always a grump the next day.
Em was riding her bike yesterday and wanted to borrow my ipod. It was dead from the last time she borrowed it. Of course a pre-teen girl can't ride a bike without music, so she took a short wave radio that my dad gave me almost 15 years ago and tied it to her handlebars with a bandanna. She was happy. I was happy she came up with a solution and it didn't cost me any money. She's a hoot.
Tomorrow is school clothes shopping. I can hardly wait.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
No Doubt
Gunner loves me.
He was so excited this morning to call and tell me about a free 10K and half marathon where we are living. Gotta love the military! We opted for the 10K since there is no way I will be prepared for a half in two weeks. Next time I'll be ready though! The starting time is 6:00 in the morning. Seriously????
We hit the gym this morning so I could run 4 miles, swim 2 miles, lift, and the girls could play the wii for two hours. Junior just runs and climbs there. I love the Gold's gym here! My membership is over at the end of the month and I am still debating on whether or not to continue it.
The kids road bikes today. Well I spent over an hour running after Abs on her bike trying to get her to ride on her own. There has to be an easier way. She voted for hooking her bike up to the trainer and riding in place. I continued running after her, but she still has the balance problem. We'll work on it more tomorrow. Junior collects rocks in the back of his tricycle. He calls them honey and keeps yelling for the bears to come visit him. He is going to have great muscles because that's at least an added 10 pounds with the rocks. (Yes, he's wearing Em's hat)
After riding/chasing for a while we headed off to the PX/BX to get the rest of Em's school supplies. We wandered around for a while and then headed to the fitness center. We got a pool pass--freaking expensive, I miss Fort Hood pools for free! I got a tour of the gym and even signed up for their incentive program. You choose what you want to do--run, elliptical, swim, etc., and then when you reach a certain milestone that they have set, you earn a water bottle, towel, gym bag, etc. I have 50 miles for the water bottle. I'm a woman on a mission.
Gunner had CQ so we cooked dinner, made a rhubarb crumb pie, and watched a storm roll in.
The storms here are beautiful. For all the thunder and lightening you would think we would have a torrential downpour, but that rarely happens. The thunder echos off the mountains, the command center tells us to take cover, and then eventually we'll have a short rain while the thunder and lightening continues. I love it.
Tomorrow Em has to take her math test at school to place her in the proper class. Gunner has a 5 day weekend and we have school clothes to buy, bikes to learn to ride, maybe a trip to Pikes Peak, find the parts to the bike trailer and get a few bike rides in, and of course, run, run, run. I've been investigating a few triathlons and am trying to get into one that is closed. It's a women's tri, and it sounds like fun, but they are booked. I am on the waiting list and hoping for the best. There's a few more that I have my eye on as well. I think I am getting used to the altitude, finally.
All the kids are in bed, and hopefully about to fall asleep. I hear a piece of rhubarb pie calling my name...
He was so excited this morning to call and tell me about a free 10K and half marathon where we are living. Gotta love the military! We opted for the 10K since there is no way I will be prepared for a half in two weeks. Next time I'll be ready though! The starting time is 6:00 in the morning. Seriously????
We hit the gym this morning so I could run 4 miles, swim 2 miles, lift, and the girls could play the wii for two hours. Junior just runs and climbs there. I love the Gold's gym here! My membership is over at the end of the month and I am still debating on whether or not to continue it.
The kids road bikes today. Well I spent over an hour running after Abs on her bike trying to get her to ride on her own. There has to be an easier way. She voted for hooking her bike up to the trainer and riding in place. I continued running after her, but she still has the balance problem. We'll work on it more tomorrow. Junior collects rocks in the back of his tricycle. He calls them honey and keeps yelling for the bears to come visit him. He is going to have great muscles because that's at least an added 10 pounds with the rocks. (Yes, he's wearing Em's hat)
After riding/chasing for a while we headed off to the PX/BX to get the rest of Em's school supplies. We wandered around for a while and then headed to the fitness center. We got a pool pass--freaking expensive, I miss Fort Hood pools for free! I got a tour of the gym and even signed up for their incentive program. You choose what you want to do--run, elliptical, swim, etc., and then when you reach a certain milestone that they have set, you earn a water bottle, towel, gym bag, etc. I have 50 miles for the water bottle. I'm a woman on a mission.Gunner had CQ so we cooked dinner, made a rhubarb crumb pie, and watched a storm roll in.
The storms here are beautiful. For all the thunder and lightening you would think we would have a torrential downpour, but that rarely happens. The thunder echos off the mountains, the command center tells us to take cover, and then eventually we'll have a short rain while the thunder and lightening continues. I love it.
Tomorrow Em has to take her math test at school to place her in the proper class. Gunner has a 5 day weekend and we have school clothes to buy, bikes to learn to ride, maybe a trip to Pikes Peak, find the parts to the bike trailer and get a few bike rides in, and of course, run, run, run. I've been investigating a few triathlons and am trying to get into one that is closed. It's a women's tri, and it sounds like fun, but they are booked. I am on the waiting list and hoping for the best. There's a few more that I have my eye on as well. I think I am getting used to the altitude, finally.
All the kids are in bed, and hopefully about to fall asleep. I hear a piece of rhubarb pie calling my name...
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Another day....
I didn't get the job I interviewed for. Know what they offered me though? I can be a permanent sub, which means I can sub in a class, sub in the cafeteria, sub in the lunch room, clean up barf, or work with kids. Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather sit at home and collect unemployment and end up with more money in the end. I don't want to clean up my own children's vomit, much less anyone elses!
I had a Plan B, but I am thinking about coming up with a plan C. Maybe I will go back into the business world. I have a MBA, I was good at what I did, and I never had any stress or had to worry about taking my job home. There's a lot to be said for that.
I'd like to say that I could become a home organization guru, but seriously I can't keep anything organized in this house. Guess that cleaning and sorting could be my new plan.
I could see about jobs on post. I could see about jobs on base. I could just be a bum, albeit an overly educated one.
Today I could probably write a book titled 1001 reasons why it sucks if your husband is in the military. Of course tomorrow it could be 1001 reasons why I don't mind the military.
Nursing a killer headache and not feeling overly optimistic today.
Took the kids to Focus on the Family today. It's entirely free and they have a playroom, slides, climbing areas, hands on stuff, and a gigantic bookstore. The kids had a good time, and I was hoping it would wear Junior out, but not even close.
I took an hour nap though while I plopped the kids in front of the tv. Mom of the year in the making I am sure.
I'm off to redo my resume and come up with a new plan, wish me luck!
I had a Plan B, but I am thinking about coming up with a plan C. Maybe I will go back into the business world. I have a MBA, I was good at what I did, and I never had any stress or had to worry about taking my job home. There's a lot to be said for that.
I'd like to say that I could become a home organization guru, but seriously I can't keep anything organized in this house. Guess that cleaning and sorting could be my new plan.
I could see about jobs on post. I could see about jobs on base. I could just be a bum, albeit an overly educated one.
Today I could probably write a book titled 1001 reasons why it sucks if your husband is in the military. Of course tomorrow it could be 1001 reasons why I don't mind the military.
Nursing a killer headache and not feeling overly optimistic today.
Took the kids to Focus on the Family today. It's entirely free and they have a playroom, slides, climbing areas, hands on stuff, and a gigantic bookstore. The kids had a good time, and I was hoping it would wear Junior out, but not even close.
I took an hour nap though while I plopped the kids in front of the tv. Mom of the year in the making I am sure.
I'm off to redo my resume and come up with a new plan, wish me luck!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Help me!
Either I need to get a job or school needs to start soon.
I had another interview today for a 4th grade position. I would love to have it, but if I don't get it, I have another plan.
My new plan? Going back to school of course! The University of Colorado offers some certifications that I'd like to get, and I can volunteer in the meantime.
I did get my first unemployment payment, and that's always nice. Thankfully Texas is one of the states that gives unemployment to military spouses when they have to PCS. I love Texas anyway, but this sure helps out while I search for employment. We didn't have a lot of time before school started when we arrived, so I knew that the pickings would be slim. It's all good.
We went hiking at Garden of the Gods yesterday and it was absolutely beautiful. We followed up with pizza at Fargo's. I'm in love with their mexican pizza!
Pictures of the hiking to follow, once I find the card reader.
We went shopping for school supplies this afternoon. Over $200 later we are done except for notebook paper, which Walmart was out of. They require a lot more supplies here than they do in Texas. Half of my students last year didn't even show up with school supplies, and we really didn't ask for that much!
Abs has settled in, the newness has worn off, and the kids are fighting again. Junior wants to play with his sisters all the time, so the girls trick him into going into his room, lock his baby gate, and then tell him they'll be back shortly. That works for about 10 minutes and then he starts crying for them to come back and rescue him. Poor kiddo!
I'm addicted to monsters again. I just need that little burst of energy to make it through the last part of the day. Some days I need it more than others, like today.
Chicken and rice for dinner. Hopefully everyone will fall asleep before 11 tonight....hopefully.
I had another interview today for a 4th grade position. I would love to have it, but if I don't get it, I have another plan.
My new plan? Going back to school of course! The University of Colorado offers some certifications that I'd like to get, and I can volunteer in the meantime.
I did get my first unemployment payment, and that's always nice. Thankfully Texas is one of the states that gives unemployment to military spouses when they have to PCS. I love Texas anyway, but this sure helps out while I search for employment. We didn't have a lot of time before school started when we arrived, so I knew that the pickings would be slim. It's all good.
We went hiking at Garden of the Gods yesterday and it was absolutely beautiful. We followed up with pizza at Fargo's. I'm in love with their mexican pizza!
Pictures of the hiking to follow, once I find the card reader.
We went shopping for school supplies this afternoon. Over $200 later we are done except for notebook paper, which Walmart was out of. They require a lot more supplies here than they do in Texas. Half of my students last year didn't even show up with school supplies, and we really didn't ask for that much!
Abs has settled in, the newness has worn off, and the kids are fighting again. Junior wants to play with his sisters all the time, so the girls trick him into going into his room, lock his baby gate, and then tell him they'll be back shortly. That works for about 10 minutes and then he starts crying for them to come back and rescue him. Poor kiddo!
I'm addicted to monsters again. I just need that little burst of energy to make it through the last part of the day. Some days I need it more than others, like today.
Chicken and rice for dinner. Hopefully everyone will fall asleep before 11 tonight....hopefully.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
She's Home!
We finally got up and moving this morning.
We headed towards Denver to get Abs.
We stopped off at the outlet mall to get Junior a new pair of shoes. I of course had to hit Banana and found two shirts and two pairs of pants. I love being able to find my smaller size on the clearance racks now! Makes shopping so much easier and cheaper.
We left Banana and were headed back to the car when we saw this tall teenager trying to lean against the wall, all of the sudden he fell right in front of us. He had his two little sisters there who didn't know what to do. At first I thought he was on something, but Gunner went over and tried to get his attention and was asking him if he was okay.
A lady near us saw the whole thing and said he looked and was responding like her son who had seizures. Gunner got him to open his eyes while the lady went and found his dad. They got him to sit up and he kept falling and couldn't keep his balance. They brought him water and Gunner started running through this list of questions.
Gunner moved him out of the sun and the kid was still out of it, weird eyes and everything. Finally he snapped back and didn't remember a thing. His dad called 911 and we walked off. It was scary though. The lady kept telling his dad about how he was reacting like it was a seizure and the kid just didn't know what was happening, and the Dad looked pretty freaked out. Hopefully he is okay now.
We left there, had lunch, and then headed to my friend Dave's house. We walked all over Center Park (?). Junior was exhausted. It was absolutely beautiful though. We went and got frozen custard where you could choose your own topping that could only be had by putting it in the bottom of your cone. Weird.
We drove around Denver and saw a ton of stuff that we want to come back and checkout the next time we head up there. We dropped off Dave, and headed out to get Abs. The airport was 20 minutes away, but we left over an hour before we needed to be there.
I got my security pass while Gunner and the kids waited at the baggage claim. I saw in the security line forever where I met the lady behind me who noticed my military id card and asked me about Gunner. Her husband visited Iraq once on a congressional visit--he was a congressman. She thanked us for his service and talked about how she couldn't thank me or him enough or the kids. The colleague she was traveling with joined in on the praise, made me feel good.
I ran through security, to find that I needed to catch a tram and go three terminals over. Did that, and then ran through 2o gates to find Ab's gate, and a plane was unloading. I asked a Southwest employee if the plane was from Austin, but she said it was from Orlando. She went to make sure, and I heard Austin and started to panic. It had taken me 45 minutes to get to the gate while running!
I turned around, then back around, and there was my Abs. I was so excited to see her with her new haircut and her bags of dinosaur books. She took everything in stride as I signed her away from the attendant. Then she started talking.
She talked and talked and talked. We made the long trip back to the baggage claim, where Junior freaked out when he saw his sister. He was ecstatic! Gunner grabbed her up in a big bear hug, and even Em let her little sister hug her for a few moments. We grabbed her things (while she continued to talk) and then we walked out with Junior and Abs holding hands and Abs still talking.
We decided to stop for dinner somewhere, and I started reading off signs. I said Landry's, and Gunner thought I said let's go there. I had instead said something to the effect of that's a nice restaurant and expensive. Next thing I knew we were pulling up outside the restaurant.
We went inside and I cringed. It was so nice and quiet in there, and Abs was still talking. Abs doesn't usually do well in any restaurant, but we settled in and although the meals were expensive we went ahead and ordered. We got Junior a $2.99 meal of mac & cheese. Our food arrived and I was stirring Junior's to get some of the heat off and noticed that it was cold. I let the waiter know, he apologized and whisked it away to the kitchen. The manager arrived with a piping hot platter of mac & cheese and apologized and said he would take care of it. I figured we were saving $2.99, but when our bill came, they took off 7 times that amount. I was shocked since I really didn't even mind since they corrected the problem, but they insisted.
So dinner wasn't so bad after all, and everyone left full and happy.
We came home and Abs was excited about seeing her room. She walked in, walked around, then we showed her around. Her response to every room "That's not too remarkable". She went to the restroom where she immediately stopped it up. Abs is home. I couldn't be happier, even after her 20th time of coming out and asking for water, a hug, to tell us one more thing, and one more time to be tucked in.
Tomorrow should be interesting!
We headed towards Denver to get Abs.
We stopped off at the outlet mall to get Junior a new pair of shoes. I of course had to hit Banana and found two shirts and two pairs of pants. I love being able to find my smaller size on the clearance racks now! Makes shopping so much easier and cheaper.
We left Banana and were headed back to the car when we saw this tall teenager trying to lean against the wall, all of the sudden he fell right in front of us. He had his two little sisters there who didn't know what to do. At first I thought he was on something, but Gunner went over and tried to get his attention and was asking him if he was okay.
A lady near us saw the whole thing and said he looked and was responding like her son who had seizures. Gunner got him to open his eyes while the lady went and found his dad. They got him to sit up and he kept falling and couldn't keep his balance. They brought him water and Gunner started running through this list of questions.
Gunner moved him out of the sun and the kid was still out of it, weird eyes and everything. Finally he snapped back and didn't remember a thing. His dad called 911 and we walked off. It was scary though. The lady kept telling his dad about how he was reacting like it was a seizure and the kid just didn't know what was happening, and the Dad looked pretty freaked out. Hopefully he is okay now.
We left there, had lunch, and then headed to my friend Dave's house. We walked all over Center Park (?). Junior was exhausted. It was absolutely beautiful though. We went and got frozen custard where you could choose your own topping that could only be had by putting it in the bottom of your cone. Weird.
We drove around Denver and saw a ton of stuff that we want to come back and checkout the next time we head up there. We dropped off Dave, and headed out to get Abs. The airport was 20 minutes away, but we left over an hour before we needed to be there.
I got my security pass while Gunner and the kids waited at the baggage claim. I saw in the security line forever where I met the lady behind me who noticed my military id card and asked me about Gunner. Her husband visited Iraq once on a congressional visit--he was a congressman. She thanked us for his service and talked about how she couldn't thank me or him enough or the kids. The colleague she was traveling with joined in on the praise, made me feel good.
I ran through security, to find that I needed to catch a tram and go three terminals over. Did that, and then ran through 2o gates to find Ab's gate, and a plane was unloading. I asked a Southwest employee if the plane was from Austin, but she said it was from Orlando. She went to make sure, and I heard Austin and started to panic. It had taken me 45 minutes to get to the gate while running!
I turned around, then back around, and there was my Abs. I was so excited to see her with her new haircut and her bags of dinosaur books. She took everything in stride as I signed her away from the attendant. Then she started talking.
She talked and talked and talked. We made the long trip back to the baggage claim, where Junior freaked out when he saw his sister. He was ecstatic! Gunner grabbed her up in a big bear hug, and even Em let her little sister hug her for a few moments. We grabbed her things (while she continued to talk) and then we walked out with Junior and Abs holding hands and Abs still talking.
We decided to stop for dinner somewhere, and I started reading off signs. I said Landry's, and Gunner thought I said let's go there. I had instead said something to the effect of that's a nice restaurant and expensive. Next thing I knew we were pulling up outside the restaurant.
We went inside and I cringed. It was so nice and quiet in there, and Abs was still talking. Abs doesn't usually do well in any restaurant, but we settled in and although the meals were expensive we went ahead and ordered. We got Junior a $2.99 meal of mac & cheese. Our food arrived and I was stirring Junior's to get some of the heat off and noticed that it was cold. I let the waiter know, he apologized and whisked it away to the kitchen. The manager arrived with a piping hot platter of mac & cheese and apologized and said he would take care of it. I figured we were saving $2.99, but when our bill came, they took off 7 times that amount. I was shocked since I really didn't even mind since they corrected the problem, but they insisted.
So dinner wasn't so bad after all, and everyone left full and happy.
We came home and Abs was excited about seeing her room. She walked in, walked around, then we showed her around. Her response to every room "That's not too remarkable". She went to the restroom where she immediately stopped it up. Abs is home. I couldn't be happier, even after her 20th time of coming out and asking for water, a hug, to tell us one more thing, and one more time to be tucked in.
Tomorrow should be interesting!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
More Random Thoughts
It is 62 degrees outside. It's over 100 where we came from. Sorry folks, I had to put a sweatshirt on!
Junior is about to drive me bonkers. He wants to eat nothing but string cheese. I'm surprised he's not stopped up.
We toured Em's school yesterday. It looks so big. Too big. They do have the 6th grade in one wing except for specials, so I'm sure it will be okay, or at least I keep telling myself that.
I love our house. The basement is WONDERFUL to store all that crap that I didn't sort though before we moved. Gunner is making me do it now, but Junior sees it and wants it all. A boy after his grandmother's house.
Abs will be here in a few short days! We are going to the Art Museum and seeing my friend Dave before Abs flies in. I hope the airline can handle her. I told my mom to coach her about not screaming "We're going down!" when the plane turns. Last time we flew the other passengers were not amused, neither was I.
Our community office place has fresh cookies every day, and Em and Junior ask for one every time we go by. I wish they would forget. They try to think of reasons for us to go there, and as much as I would love one, it's not happening.
I hit the gym this morning and ran 2.5 miles. I'm getting back to where I was. I'm already looking at a triathlon in September. The swim portion is a little short, but it's in a pool. It's the fastest part for me, so I wish they would make that 16 miles!
We are slowly getting unpacked. Very slowly.
Junior and I went for a walk/run the other day, and I just can't get over how pretty it is here. Remind me of that when it is freezing cold, as I don't handle cold too well!
Does anyone know if there is a military place you can rent houses like you can in Washington at Pacific Beach?
Junior is about to drive me bonkers. He wants to eat nothing but string cheese. I'm surprised he's not stopped up.
We toured Em's school yesterday. It looks so big. Too big. They do have the 6th grade in one wing except for specials, so I'm sure it will be okay, or at least I keep telling myself that.
I love our house. The basement is WONDERFUL to store all that crap that I didn't sort though before we moved. Gunner is making me do it now, but Junior sees it and wants it all. A boy after his grandmother's house.
Abs will be here in a few short days! We are going to the Art Museum and seeing my friend Dave before Abs flies in. I hope the airline can handle her. I told my mom to coach her about not screaming "We're going down!" when the plane turns. Last time we flew the other passengers were not amused, neither was I.
Our community office place has fresh cookies every day, and Em and Junior ask for one every time we go by. I wish they would forget. They try to think of reasons for us to go there, and as much as I would love one, it's not happening.
I hit the gym this morning and ran 2.5 miles. I'm getting back to where I was. I'm already looking at a triathlon in September. The swim portion is a little short, but it's in a pool. It's the fastest part for me, so I wish they would make that 16 miles!
We are slowly getting unpacked. Very slowly.
Junior and I went for a walk/run the other day, and I just can't get over how pretty it is here. Remind me of that when it is freezing cold, as I don't handle cold too well!
Does anyone know if there is a military place you can rent houses like you can in Washington at Pacific Beach?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Not even sure....
My friend Dave came in this weekend and helped us hang pictures and unpack. We enjoyed a bottle of wine and a night of catching up as well. We met in college via the sailing team, and have been friends for over 18 years.
Gunner grew up as an Air Force brat. He doesn't get that. I lived in the same house for all of my school career. I knew everyone I graduated with, although some I would like to forget! I have friends that I still talk to regularly that I knew when I was 11 or 12 years old. Gunner doesn't have any of that. Of course he isn't notorious for keeping in touch either.
I hit the gym this morning and ran a few miles, although not very fast. We need mountain bikes. There are tons of trails here, but we can't pull the bike trailer on the road bikes. Shoot, I can hardly keep myself up on those!
We unpacked the jogging stroller, so I see a lot of evening runs. The weather is perfect here, and with the installation of two window units, I am back to sleeping in a super cold room.
We still don't have school supplies or school clothes, but we still have 2 1/2 weeks to get it all together.
Junior's skin is doing great so far. He is still scratching like crazy, but so far no weird skin lesions or anything have been forming. His last round left huge scars though on his side, back and knee. I might try that mederma for kids on it to see if it will help with the scars.
....I'm really bad about posting these days. Junior and I went for a run this morning, but the altitude got to me, so it was a run/walk. It was cool, beautiful, and no speeding cars or wildlife to contend with. I love where we live!
This Saturday we pick up Abs from the airport. She has spent the last three weeks while we have lived in a hotel, eaten out, and lived in limbo. She doesn't do well with any of that, and I can't thank my mom enough for keeping her and helping us out!
Gunner is picking up our birthday presents today....mountain bikes. There are so many trails to ride, and I picked up a book on trails to hike as well. We have been waiting till Abs got here to really do much of anything, and I can't wait to get started!
When we go to Denver on Saturday we are going to hit the pool at Dave's house, visit the Art Museum and then have a relaxing dinner before we get my little tornado. I told my mom to coach her on not screaming out "We're going down!" when the plane starts to turn. I'm sure she'll be fine....I just hope whoever sits next to her is fine too!
Off to run shot records to the junior high--I can't believe we have a child in middle school! Em is chomping at the bit to get her school supplies too. My neighbor told me that every student gets laptops at school, so I guess we will find out soon enough. Abs is going to a school that specializes in math and science.
Em is excited about me being home, and insists that we should have hot chocolate and cinnamon cookies every day for afternoon tea. Guess I better drag up a good recipe and learn to be holly homemaker!
Gunner grew up as an Air Force brat. He doesn't get that. I lived in the same house for all of my school career. I knew everyone I graduated with, although some I would like to forget! I have friends that I still talk to regularly that I knew when I was 11 or 12 years old. Gunner doesn't have any of that. Of course he isn't notorious for keeping in touch either.
I hit the gym this morning and ran a few miles, although not very fast. We need mountain bikes. There are tons of trails here, but we can't pull the bike trailer on the road bikes. Shoot, I can hardly keep myself up on those!
We unpacked the jogging stroller, so I see a lot of evening runs. The weather is perfect here, and with the installation of two window units, I am back to sleeping in a super cold room.
We still don't have school supplies or school clothes, but we still have 2 1/2 weeks to get it all together.
Junior's skin is doing great so far. He is still scratching like crazy, but so far no weird skin lesions or anything have been forming. His last round left huge scars though on his side, back and knee. I might try that mederma for kids on it to see if it will help with the scars.
....I'm really bad about posting these days. Junior and I went for a run this morning, but the altitude got to me, so it was a run/walk. It was cool, beautiful, and no speeding cars or wildlife to contend with. I love where we live!
This Saturday we pick up Abs from the airport. She has spent the last three weeks while we have lived in a hotel, eaten out, and lived in limbo. She doesn't do well with any of that, and I can't thank my mom enough for keeping her and helping us out!
Gunner is picking up our birthday presents today....mountain bikes. There are so many trails to ride, and I picked up a book on trails to hike as well. We have been waiting till Abs got here to really do much of anything, and I can't wait to get started!
When we go to Denver on Saturday we are going to hit the pool at Dave's house, visit the Art Museum and then have a relaxing dinner before we get my little tornado. I told my mom to coach her on not screaming out "We're going down!" when the plane starts to turn. I'm sure she'll be fine....I just hope whoever sits next to her is fine too!
Off to run shot records to the junior high--I can't believe we have a child in middle school! Em is chomping at the bit to get her school supplies too. My neighbor told me that every student gets laptops at school, so I guess we will find out soon enough. Abs is going to a school that specializes in math and science.
Em is excited about me being home, and insists that we should have hot chocolate and cinnamon cookies every day for afternoon tea. Guess I better drag up a good recipe and learn to be holly homemaker!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Sort of plugged in...
We don't get internet access until tomorrow, but I found an unsecured network so I can do a few things.
We are moved in, and nowhere close to being unpacked. Thankfully we have a HUGE basement so it looks better upstairs than it could.
Part of our schrank got broken, a german cabinet, Em's brand new furniture got damaged in the move and parts of it broken. We also had some holes, a missing vacuum, and parts of a quilt rack missing too. That's just the beginning of it, I'm afraid of what we are going to discover in the next few days. Oh, and they lost all the parts to Ab's bunkbeds! I was starting to get kind of grumpy till my friend was telling me on facebook how her stuff was coming by train after they moved back to the States from Germany, way back when. The train derailed and they lost it all. Kind of puts things in perspective.
The one thing that we have noticed here on base is that the people are so nice! Even Em says it about everyone we have met or interacted with.
We scored at the BX this morning on patio furniture--a table and 6 chairs for less than $100. It was 40% off and who can't use a good sale like that? I did have problems getting it in the car till a retired couple that watched me chase after Junior Houdini when he got out of the child seat in the cart, the man helped me load and unload my car until he could get it all in there and strapped to the top.
Gunner has a 4 day weekend and my friend Dave is coming in tomorrow to spend the weekend with us. I'm putting him to work.
Triathlon training starts again on Monday and as soon as I am back up to speed, I am hoping to get a few more tris (or one) in before the end of the season. We also have to get school clothes, school supplies, finish unpacking, and all that good stuff. We did get Junior to the doctor and all of his medical forms filled out and they gave us an epi pen to give to the daycare people. Let's hope they never have to use it.
We are moved in, and nowhere close to being unpacked. Thankfully we have a HUGE basement so it looks better upstairs than it could.
Part of our schrank got broken, a german cabinet, Em's brand new furniture got damaged in the move and parts of it broken. We also had some holes, a missing vacuum, and parts of a quilt rack missing too. That's just the beginning of it, I'm afraid of what we are going to discover in the next few days. Oh, and they lost all the parts to Ab's bunkbeds! I was starting to get kind of grumpy till my friend was telling me on facebook how her stuff was coming by train after they moved back to the States from Germany, way back when. The train derailed and they lost it all. Kind of puts things in perspective.
The one thing that we have noticed here on base is that the people are so nice! Even Em says it about everyone we have met or interacted with.
We scored at the BX this morning on patio furniture--a table and 6 chairs for less than $100. It was 40% off and who can't use a good sale like that? I did have problems getting it in the car till a retired couple that watched me chase after Junior Houdini when he got out of the child seat in the cart, the man helped me load and unload my car until he could get it all in there and strapped to the top.
Gunner has a 4 day weekend and my friend Dave is coming in tomorrow to spend the weekend with us. I'm putting him to work.
Triathlon training starts again on Monday and as soon as I am back up to speed, I am hoping to get a few more tris (or one) in before the end of the season. We also have to get school clothes, school supplies, finish unpacking, and all that good stuff. We did get Junior to the doctor and all of his medical forms filled out and they gave us an epi pen to give to the daycare people. Let's hope they never have to use it.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A day out
I had to get out of the house today.
We hit a few thrift stores and scored some good deals. Junior now has 20 batman action figures to play with. He has a large one that my brother and SIL gave him, which he has made the daddy Batman and all the rest are the kids. It's already provided plenty of entertainment and this is before Gunner gets home and plays with it.
I found a vintage Pizza Inn glass. My family used to visit Pizza Inn and get the paper thin crust each time. Good memories!
Two Apollo 13 glasses that I love!
A dinosaur glass to add to Ab's collection of the Welch's jelly jars with a different dinosaur on each one.
Two wooden puzzles. Junior and Abs are obsessed with the States. Junior can already rattle off a list of them.
And two chicken soup bowls for my mom.
Gunner has a 4 day weekend to receive HHG and unpack. Whew.
One of my best friends is coming to spend the weekend with us and help us unpack. Can't wait to see him!
We are about to hit the pool for the last time during this hotel stay.
I can't wait to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night. Now I just need to find the perfect job!
Mental note for my next PCS--Spring for the Residence Inn Marriott. It will be worth the difference to have a bed bigger than a double and a kitchen.
We hit a few thrift stores and scored some good deals. Junior now has 20 batman action figures to play with. He has a large one that my brother and SIL gave him, which he has made the daddy Batman and all the rest are the kids. It's already provided plenty of entertainment and this is before Gunner gets home and plays with it.
I found a vintage Pizza Inn glass. My family used to visit Pizza Inn and get the paper thin crust each time. Good memories!
Two Apollo 13 glasses that I love!
A dinosaur glass to add to Ab's collection of the Welch's jelly jars with a different dinosaur on each one.
Two wooden puzzles. Junior and Abs are obsessed with the States. Junior can already rattle off a list of them.
And two chicken soup bowls for my mom.
Gunner has a 4 day weekend to receive HHG and unpack. Whew.
One of my best friends is coming to spend the weekend with us and help us unpack. Can't wait to see him!
We are about to hit the pool for the last time during this hotel stay.
I can't wait to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night. Now I just need to find the perfect job!
Mental note for my next PCS--Spring for the Residence Inn Marriott. It will be worth the difference to have a bed bigger than a double and a kitchen.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Lions and Coyotes and Bears, OH MY!
When we signed for our new housing, they told us that there was a black bear problem in our neighborhood.
I knew we were living in the moutains, next to a forest.......
I just never even thought of mountain lions or bears. Coyotes we have in Texas, and I never had a problem with them.
I saw a bear on my first day in Alaska while visiting my sister.
Apparently though, the bears are out there a lot.
I went over and introduced myself to my new neighbor. First thing out of her mouth was about the bear problem. She said there was a black bear out in our cul-de-sac every day. The mountain lions were attacking the deer behind our other neighbor's house yesterday. She hasn't seen any coyotes.
When we were dealing with CYS yesterday one of the employees heard where we were living, and she immediately told us about the bear problem.
I love where we live because it isn't so congested or busy, so if a few bears come our way, I can live with that!
I knew we were living in the moutains, next to a forest.......
I just never even thought of mountain lions or bears. Coyotes we have in Texas, and I never had a problem with them.
I saw a bear on my first day in Alaska while visiting my sister.
Apparently though, the bears are out there a lot.
I went over and introduced myself to my new neighbor. First thing out of her mouth was about the bear problem. She said there was a black bear out in our cul-de-sac every day. The mountain lions were attacking the deer behind our other neighbor's house yesterday. She hasn't seen any coyotes.
When we were dealing with CYS yesterday one of the employees heard where we were living, and she immediately told us about the bear problem.
I love where we live because it isn't so congested or busy, so if a few bears come our way, I can live with that!
It's a Brand New Day
I am now prescribing to my son Junior's philosophy of life. Every morning he wakes up, looks around, and shouts out "It's a brand new day!".
I searched for daycare last night. Some people recommended a nanny, but I am living in a hotel right now.
I signed up for a service my sister uses to find a sitter, but $10-$15 an hour doesn't justify me working. I have a call into a center that the on post daycare recommended. Junior is 3 though, and many daycares are maxed out in that age group, plus he isn't potty trained which elminates most preschools, Potty training is not going too well here in Casa La Quinta.
I can only try though. I left a message for the principal so hopefully he will call back and we can discuss a few options my friend Dave and I came up with last night. If it doesn't work out, then I will move on with plan B.
We are stuffed to the gills here, and are finally finding the time today to move our bikes, the trainer, my tri-gear, my school books, and all the spices that we hand carried, over to the house. Maybe the housekeeper won't faint when she comes in.
I thought we were going to be forced to do laundry today, but I found a bag of clean clothes that I grabbed from my mom's dryer the morning we left. I cringe when I think about spending a $1.25 to wash a load of clothes, and you know that they have the smallest washers possible so that what I can cram into one load at home takes 4-5 loads in a hotel!
We've tried three new restaurants in the past two days, and while they were great, I can't wait to eat at home again!
I searched for daycare last night. Some people recommended a nanny, but I am living in a hotel right now.
I signed up for a service my sister uses to find a sitter, but $10-$15 an hour doesn't justify me working. I have a call into a center that the on post daycare recommended. Junior is 3 though, and many daycares are maxed out in that age group, plus he isn't potty trained which elminates most preschools, Potty training is not going too well here in Casa La Quinta.
I can only try though. I left a message for the principal so hopefully he will call back and we can discuss a few options my friend Dave and I came up with last night. If it doesn't work out, then I will move on with plan B.
We are stuffed to the gills here, and are finally finding the time today to move our bikes, the trainer, my tri-gear, my school books, and all the spices that we hand carried, over to the house. Maybe the housekeeper won't faint when she comes in.
I thought we were going to be forced to do laundry today, but I found a bag of clean clothes that I grabbed from my mom's dryer the morning we left. I cringe when I think about spending a $1.25 to wash a load of clothes, and you know that they have the smallest washers possible so that what I can cram into one load at home takes 4-5 loads in a hotel!
We've tried three new restaurants in the past two days, and while they were great, I can't wait to eat at home again!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Please explain the logic to me....
Today we went to stop by to fill out the registration paperwork for the girls, and they let us do Junior while we were there. They called us last Tuesday and said that they had an opening for him. Great!
So as we are filling out the paperwork, they see that he is allergic to eggs. They asked for his paperwork, which we had a copy of the old one, and they said that wasn't good enough. We needed to get a new form filled out, saying what they can substitute for eggs (ie beans, cheese, etc.). Okay, great, so can he still start on Tuesday?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Why not you ask? Because after they get that paper back they have to send it to the Community Health Nurse, who has THIRTY DAYS to sign it and get it back. Will they save his spot? No, we get put at the bottom of the waiting list.
I was livid. But it's not his fault or mine that he is allergic to eggs. Shoot, we did all this stuff for the last daycare and they still fed him eggs. I called the daycare that he used to go to (since I love them so much) and asked them to fax over the newest dietary requirements for Junior.
Of course since he has been out over a week they have pulled the paper and hopefully filed it.
It was 3 pm on a Friday and she said she wouldn't get to it till Monday, and then she would fax it over. They changed the sheet in November, right before Thanksgiving, so I know that they have a valid one, it's just a matter of whether or not they kept it.
So now I can't get a job at all, because my son is being denied care because he has an allergy.
I really think I could have gone postal. They told me I could go off post and probably find something immediately. That's looking better and better, but I remember last time I investigated daycares at Hood that were located off post, and there were incidents at every single one.
I don't know what to do now. I guess I will just hang out and waste everything that I worked for since there is no way to get Junior in to the doctor till next week sometime (it might be two weeks since it doesn't qualify for a same day appointment) and then the nurse has 30 days to sign off on the form, which puts us after the start of school.
And I guess the icing on the cake is that we went through the whole process, TWICE, of having all of our information and forms sent to Carson by Hood, and now they don't have anything. I didn't even put down that Abs had ADHD because I am sure that would postpone things for months and months.
So even if I get offered a job, from my second interview, I won't be able to take it. Then they jumped all over me about Em and Junior being in a playroom unsupervised. I said I didn't see a problem with it since she was allowed to babysit siblings at home for up to two hours.
......As I am writing this, I got a phone call from the place where I interviewed. I let it go to voicemail and just listened to it. I got the job. Now what.....
So as we are filling out the paperwork, they see that he is allergic to eggs. They asked for his paperwork, which we had a copy of the old one, and they said that wasn't good enough. We needed to get a new form filled out, saying what they can substitute for eggs (ie beans, cheese, etc.). Okay, great, so can he still start on Tuesday?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Why not you ask? Because after they get that paper back they have to send it to the Community Health Nurse, who has THIRTY DAYS to sign it and get it back. Will they save his spot? No, we get put at the bottom of the waiting list.
I was livid. But it's not his fault or mine that he is allergic to eggs. Shoot, we did all this stuff for the last daycare and they still fed him eggs. I called the daycare that he used to go to (since I love them so much) and asked them to fax over the newest dietary requirements for Junior.
Of course since he has been out over a week they have pulled the paper and hopefully filed it.
It was 3 pm on a Friday and she said she wouldn't get to it till Monday, and then she would fax it over. They changed the sheet in November, right before Thanksgiving, so I know that they have a valid one, it's just a matter of whether or not they kept it.
So now I can't get a job at all, because my son is being denied care because he has an allergy.
I really think I could have gone postal. They told me I could go off post and probably find something immediately. That's looking better and better, but I remember last time I investigated daycares at Hood that were located off post, and there were incidents at every single one.
I don't know what to do now. I guess I will just hang out and waste everything that I worked for since there is no way to get Junior in to the doctor till next week sometime (it might be two weeks since it doesn't qualify for a same day appointment) and then the nurse has 30 days to sign off on the form, which puts us after the start of school.
And I guess the icing on the cake is that we went through the whole process, TWICE, of having all of our information and forms sent to Carson by Hood, and now they don't have anything. I didn't even put down that Abs had ADHD because I am sure that would postpone things for months and months.
So even if I get offered a job, from my second interview, I won't be able to take it. Then they jumped all over me about Em and Junior being in a playroom unsupervised. I said I didn't see a problem with it since she was allowed to babysit siblings at home for up to two hours.
......As I am writing this, I got a phone call from the place where I interviewed. I let it go to voicemail and just listened to it. I got the job. Now what.....
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Here We Go!
The kids went to sleep last night and Junior slept all night long. Thank goodness! I don't think that Gunner and I could have handled another sleepless night!
The interview went well, but if I got offered the position I would have to start Monday. I don't know if I could do that. Gunner was supposed to leave for school on Monday, but they had a group of them that they delayed. They decided that they needed to get their families in houses and settled before sending them off. Gunner is the schools guy now, so he can reschedule it. Whew.
The new Harry Potter came out today and Em has been all over us trying to get us to go to it.
Abs got her haircut today but won't let my mom take a picture because she wants to surprise me. I bought her a tshirt and a postcard that I need to get out to her.
Travel vouchers have been submitted. Dislocation allowance has been turned in as well. This is the part of PCSing that I love!!!!
Gunner just told me the rules of reception: No drinking. No Hiking. Cannot leave the Colorado Springs city limits. No Sexual Activity. Must wear uniform till 1700.
Sounds like good times. Wonder which rule people break the most?
The interview went well, but if I got offered the position I would have to start Monday. I don't know if I could do that. Gunner was supposed to leave for school on Monday, but they had a group of them that they delayed. They decided that they needed to get their families in houses and settled before sending them off. Gunner is the schools guy now, so he can reschedule it. Whew.
The new Harry Potter came out today and Em has been all over us trying to get us to go to it.
Abs got her haircut today but won't let my mom take a picture because she wants to surprise me. I bought her a tshirt and a postcard that I need to get out to her.
Travel vouchers have been submitted. Dislocation allowance has been turned in as well. This is the part of PCSing that I love!!!!
Gunner just told me the rules of reception: No drinking. No Hiking. Cannot leave the Colorado Springs city limits. No Sexual Activity. Must wear uniform till 1700.
Sounds like good times. Wonder which rule people break the most?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Checklist
Housing is done.
Household goods will be delivered...a week after we get housing. Thank goodness for hotels!
Medical is done.
Job interview tomorrow.
Clothes for interview found.
Daycare for Junior lined up.
I know where to go register the girls for school and which schools they will be going too, just need to get all their paperwork together.
Looked inside house.
Talked to my friend Dave, and made plans for his visit.
Applied for my teacher certification in Texas. I'm glad to have the letter from my program that it was finally over and done with and I could apply!
Found out I made A's in my two classes this summer!
Still tons to do, and I am hoping we can get it all done in the next two days. I need a vacation!
It's beautiful here and we spent this evening at the pool and hot tub.
Junior did not sleep at all last night and Gunner and I are plain exhausted.
Booked Ab's ticket out to Colorado.
I'm ready for bed....
Household goods will be delivered...a week after we get housing. Thank goodness for hotels!
Medical is done.
Job interview tomorrow.
Clothes for interview found.
Daycare for Junior lined up.
I know where to go register the girls for school and which schools they will be going too, just need to get all their paperwork together.
Looked inside house.
Talked to my friend Dave, and made plans for his visit.
Applied for my teacher certification in Texas. I'm glad to have the letter from my program that it was finally over and done with and I could apply!
Found out I made A's in my two classes this summer!
Still tons to do, and I am hoping we can get it all done in the next two days. I need a vacation!
It's beautiful here and we spent this evening at the pool and hot tub.
Junior did not sleep at all last night and Gunner and I are plain exhausted.
Booked Ab's ticket out to Colorado.
I'm ready for bed....
We're here!
Left this morning and just got to the hotel tonight. The kids were doing so well and we just wanted to get here. We sign for housing on Thursday on base. Yep, on base! So tired, more later...
-- Post From My iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
Monday, July 13, 2009
Triathlon #2
I survived! My time wasn't exactly what I wanted it to be, but I did it! My swim was better (first in my age group, woohoo!) and my transitions were faster. Focus on the positives! I hurt my ankle on the run, but nothing too serious, just a little....maybe a lot.....of pain. I'll just rest it and get ready to hit the trails in Colorado!
We are packed and loaded. Colorado or bust!
Housing plans are in the work, things seem to be working out.
Gunner is loving the weather in Colorado although he says it rains almost every evening. I can live with that.
I can't wait to see all my friends (& Gunner too!).
I'm exhausted but setting this to post in the morning when we are hopefully on our way.
Wish me luck!!!
We are packed and loaded. Colorado or bust!
Housing plans are in the work, things seem to be working out.
Gunner is loving the weather in Colorado although he says it rains almost every evening. I can live with that.
I can't wait to see all my friends (& Gunner too!).
I'm exhausted but setting this to post in the morning when we are hopefully on our way.
Wish me luck!!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Abs is home!
All three kids are under my mom's roof again, and it's almost 10 pm and no one is sleeping.
Junior has walked out a couple of times, given a fake yawn stretch and told us "That was a great dream".
Abs snuck a flashlight to bed, but since she is in a room with Em, Em of course had to tell. The screaming then started. "No I don't" "Yes you do" "No I don't"....it's like they never left each other's sides.
No one is sleepy except for me I think.
Gunner went to pick up a rotisserie chicken and some tortillas. They were out unfortunately, so no telling what he is dragging home for our late dinner. I just hope it's healthy!
I'm trying to study with a killer headache.
Gunner called me and he hit a deer. Thankfully he is okay, the car is okay, and the deer was little enough so there was no damage to the car. Unfortunately the deer did not make it. My mom had several thousands of dollars worth of damage to her car when she hit a deer, and I remember my friend Peggy having a ton of damage. That's not what we would need right now!
I think I am back to staying here over the summer. I've called tons of places, and we cannot stay in a two bedroom because we have three kids. BHA doesn't cover anything but drug infested, crime infested places. I'm not thrilled with keeping the kids out of school, but what the heck. Stay tuned, I might change my mind tomorrow.
I ran this morning and my foot hurts now. It can't be hurt, I have a triathlon on Sunday!
Two more days of classes....two more days. After grades are posted, they will issue our certificates and we can apply for our license. Not having it is hurting my job search as I can't apply for a license in Colorado till I get my Texas license. No rush, I know there has to be something I am qualified to do!
Gunner is home and dinner is served....
Junior has walked out a couple of times, given a fake yawn stretch and told us "That was a great dream".
Abs snuck a flashlight to bed, but since she is in a room with Em, Em of course had to tell. The screaming then started. "No I don't" "Yes you do" "No I don't"....it's like they never left each other's sides.
No one is sleepy except for me I think.
Gunner went to pick up a rotisserie chicken and some tortillas. They were out unfortunately, so no telling what he is dragging home for our late dinner. I just hope it's healthy!
I'm trying to study with a killer headache.
Gunner called me and he hit a deer. Thankfully he is okay, the car is okay, and the deer was little enough so there was no damage to the car. Unfortunately the deer did not make it. My mom had several thousands of dollars worth of damage to her car when she hit a deer, and I remember my friend Peggy having a ton of damage. That's not what we would need right now!
I think I am back to staying here over the summer. I've called tons of places, and we cannot stay in a two bedroom because we have three kids. BHA doesn't cover anything but drug infested, crime infested places. I'm not thrilled with keeping the kids out of school, but what the heck. Stay tuned, I might change my mind tomorrow.
I ran this morning and my foot hurts now. It can't be hurt, I have a triathlon on Sunday!
Two more days of classes....two more days. After grades are posted, they will issue our certificates and we can apply for our license. Not having it is hurting my job search as I can't apply for a license in Colorado till I get my Texas license. No rush, I know there has to be something I am qualified to do!
Gunner is home and dinner is served....
Friday, July 3, 2009
Em is home!!!
I sure missed that smiling face, but alas, she was more excited to see her brother. He saw her across the grass and was off and running for her. He threw his little chubby arms around her neck and didn't want to let go. Emily said her hi, gave a couple of hugs, and then was back with her friends. I'm glad she had such a good time!
They had a dance one night. She said that the rules were if a boy asked you to dance you had to say yes and go. This boy that she had talked to a few times came up about 3 feet away from her, stopped, and couldn't say anything or move or anything. Then he panicked and ran away after about 5 minutes. Poor kid!!! Em said she was kind of sad. My baby is growing up!!!
Abs should be home in a few days. Class ends soon. I am revisiting going to Colorado in July. My friend Jessie told me her school district starts the 4th of August, and I hate for the girls to miss a month of school. I am thinking it might be best to suck it up and go up there. I can do it, it would just be easier not too.
I wish my dad was here all the time, but it is times like this especially that I really miss his advice. He would make it sound so easy and fun, that I would jump in and be off.
I think I can...I think I can...I think I can. I applied at a few more school districts, but I think I am pretty much down to the wire. It would be easier if I was there. I was also thinking about how to use the $6k for military spouses....reading specialist? I'm looking into programs and colleges out there.
It doesn't help that I have a friend out there right now, whose husband is there on business, and I am blown away by how beautiful it is!
I'm still thinking on it....anyone know any good three bedroom apartments in Colorado that have a 3 month lease or less?
They had a dance one night. She said that the rules were if a boy asked you to dance you had to say yes and go. This boy that she had talked to a few times came up about 3 feet away from her, stopped, and couldn't say anything or move or anything. Then he panicked and ran away after about 5 minutes. Poor kid!!! Em said she was kind of sad. My baby is growing up!!!
Abs should be home in a few days. Class ends soon. I am revisiting going to Colorado in July. My friend Jessie told me her school district starts the 4th of August, and I hate for the girls to miss a month of school. I am thinking it might be best to suck it up and go up there. I can do it, it would just be easier not too.
I wish my dad was here all the time, but it is times like this especially that I really miss his advice. He would make it sound so easy and fun, that I would jump in and be off.
I think I can...I think I can...I think I can. I applied at a few more school districts, but I think I am pretty much down to the wire. It would be easier if I was there. I was also thinking about how to use the $6k for military spouses....reading specialist? I'm looking into programs and colleges out there.
It doesn't help that I have a friend out there right now, whose husband is there on business, and I am blown away by how beautiful it is!
I'm still thinking on it....anyone know any good three bedroom apartments in Colorado that have a 3 month lease or less?
It's getting close!
Next week Gunner takes off to Colorado to check things out, sign in, in process, and then head out to school in KY.
I will finish my last week of classes.
Junior has no desire to potty train. Ugh. I think I will just wait till the 13th of July and keep him outside, naked, all day. I'm sure the retirement community we are currently living in will be abuzz with news on "the streaker".
There was this family that lived near us in Houston, and after I was gone, my sister used to call them the nudists because there little boy was always outside naked. I know why now. Those poor, poor, people!
We are headed to the outlaws today to spend the day with them. They wanted to get together on the 4th, but we have to get Em from camp, which is about 4 hours round trip.
Speaking of Em, we got our first letter from her yesterday and she is having the time of her life. I found a picture of her with her counselor on the website today and a cabin picture too. I used to love going to camp, but way back when, it was $240 for two weeks! It's almost double that for one week now at Girl Scout camp, and Pine Cove is $799 a week and is going up to $899 a week next year.
I'm in the wrong business.
I'm still biking almost every day, and swimming every other day. I found a swim meet on post that I am tempted to sign up for, just for the heck of it. I haven't been doing much running outside since it is toooooooo hot.
......the outlaws was fine. My MIL always makes me german potato salad and has wine. Life is good.
Junior finally fell asleep.
I applied for some jobs.
Paid bills.
Turned in forms to get reimbursed for tests I have taken for school.
I've got to get organized, and preferably before my mom gets home with Abs and sees the mound of paperwork that is piled up on her kitchen table.
I can't wait to get Emily tomorrow!!! No phone calls about broken arms this year. Definitely a good thing since we are looking for a return visit with Junior to the ER since he has "lesions" on his side, and we need to get them checked out before daycare kicks him out. Poor kiddo.
I will finish my last week of classes.
Junior has no desire to potty train. Ugh. I think I will just wait till the 13th of July and keep him outside, naked, all day. I'm sure the retirement community we are currently living in will be abuzz with news on "the streaker".
There was this family that lived near us in Houston, and after I was gone, my sister used to call them the nudists because there little boy was always outside naked. I know why now. Those poor, poor, people!
We are headed to the outlaws today to spend the day with them. They wanted to get together on the 4th, but we have to get Em from camp, which is about 4 hours round trip.
Speaking of Em, we got our first letter from her yesterday and she is having the time of her life. I found a picture of her with her counselor on the website today and a cabin picture too. I used to love going to camp, but way back when, it was $240 for two weeks! It's almost double that for one week now at Girl Scout camp, and Pine Cove is $799 a week and is going up to $899 a week next year.
I'm in the wrong business.
I'm still biking almost every day, and swimming every other day. I found a swim meet on post that I am tempted to sign up for, just for the heck of it. I haven't been doing much running outside since it is toooooooo hot.
......the outlaws was fine. My MIL always makes me german potato salad and has wine. Life is good.
Junior finally fell asleep.
I applied for some jobs.
Paid bills.
Turned in forms to get reimbursed for tests I have taken for school.
I've got to get organized, and preferably before my mom gets home with Abs and sees the mound of paperwork that is piled up on her kitchen table.
I can't wait to get Emily tomorrow!!! No phone calls about broken arms this year. Definitely a good thing since we are looking for a return visit with Junior to the ER since he has "lesions" on his side, and we need to get them checked out before daycare kicks him out. Poor kiddo.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Random Thoughts
I have the day off from both classes tomorrow and tons to do. Just when I thought I was close to being done with school work, I have enough to keep me busy tomorrow. I am hoping to crank it out tonight though.
I want to fit in a swim, bike, and run tomorrow. I need the distraction.
We got postcards from Abs in Utah. She's having a good time, and only the last two nights have I had to sing to her over the phone. Poor girl!
I was perusing the website of the camp Em is going to and found this picture. Looks like she is having a great time!
I want to fit in a swim, bike, and run tomorrow. I need the distraction.
We got postcards from Abs in Utah. She's having a good time, and only the last two nights have I had to sing to her over the phone. Poor girl!
I was perusing the website of the camp Em is going to and found this picture. Looks like she is having a great time!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Waiting...
We've made it to Pine Cove....early of course. Even with the emergency stop because Gwen forgot her bathing suit, we are 40 minutes early. I'm always early. If I am not, it means I died or something.
Having breakfast at Cracker Barrel....
-- Post From My iPhone
Having breakfast at Cracker Barrel....
-- Post From My iPhone
Friday, June 26, 2009
Good times?
The birthday was a success and Junior is happy again. He is out of the tub and screeching as he runs around naked "Eeek!!! Don't look at me!!!". Sisters teach him wonderful things.
The German food was good, the beer was great.
I of course had to check email while I was there and found this:
So should I be worried? Of course I am germaphobic, but at least Em doesn't bite her nails like Abs. (Side note, does that fingernail polish that tastes bad really exist, and most of all, does it work?) I told her I was sending her with little bottles of sanitizer. I'm not worried about swine flu or anything, just that she misses out on camp if she gets sick.
The camp is great, and during the hurricane last time--boy, do we know how to pick the week to go to camp!--and the broken hand the first day while she was riding horses, Em had the time of her life. So I called my friend to let her know what the deal was, and she got a little panicky, but I assured her that the girls would be fine. Plus, I just spent the rest of today getting last minute things together for camp, so I am glad that they aren't canceling camp!
Tomorrow brings another long workout, my nephew's play, pack for camp, and hopefully I can crank out some homework too!
I'm missing Abs terribly, but Junior more than keeps me on my toes. I was exchanging emails with The Mrs. about boys, and she totally gets it. After he emptied a tube of toothpaste and then dumped a bottle of Hershey's chocolate syrup in a cup to make his own chocolate milk, we were off and running.
I better get a run in tomorrow morning so I can keep in shape to keep up with him!
The German food was good, the beer was great.
I of course had to check email while I was there and found this:
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The camp is great, and during the hurricane last time--boy, do we know how to pick the week to go to camp!--and the broken hand the first day while she was riding horses, Em had the time of her life. So I called my friend to let her know what the deal was, and she got a little panicky, but I assured her that the girls would be fine. Plus, I just spent the rest of today getting last minute things together for camp, so I am glad that they aren't canceling camp!
Tomorrow brings another long workout, my nephew's play, pack for camp, and hopefully I can crank out some homework too!
I'm missing Abs terribly, but Junior more than keeps me on my toes. I was exchanging emails with The Mrs. about boys, and she totally gets it. After he emptied a tube of toothpaste and then dumped a bottle of Hershey's chocolate syrup in a cup to make his own chocolate milk, we were off and running.
I better get a run in tomorrow morning so I can keep in shape to keep up with him!
Hmmmm....
If I stay till the end of August, I think I can fit in two more triathlons after the next one I am doing. Sounds like fun!
I biked 14 miles this morning at the crack of dawn.
We went shopping and got the final things Em needed for camp.
We are going out for German food for Junior's birthday.
Speaking of the birthday boy, he took a long nap and is now even crankier than he was before. Nothing is making him happy. I am hoping when Em gets here that he will be happy again and distracted.
Pictures later of his cupcake cake (it's cute!) and hopefully a happy boy.
Stories about Ab's adventures can be found here.
I biked 14 miles this morning at the crack of dawn.
We went shopping and got the final things Em needed for camp.
We are going out for German food for Junior's birthday.
Speaking of the birthday boy, he took a long nap and is now even crankier than he was before. Nothing is making him happy. I am hoping when Em gets here that he will be happy again and distracted.
Pictures later of his cupcake cake (it's cute!) and hopefully a happy boy.
Stories about Ab's adventures can be found here.
Happy Birthday
Three years ago....
Today:
Still those same big blue eyes, but a mischievous smile to go along with it. I can't believe he is three! Happy Birthday Junior, we love you!
Today:
Still those same big blue eyes, but a mischievous smile to go along with it. I can't believe he is three! Happy Birthday Junior, we love you!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
New Plan
Creating a new plan is exactly why I needed a good mind clearing workout this morning on my bike. (My bike is the weakest of the three sports, so I am trying to work more on that)
Anyway, I started thinking about why I wanted to be in Colorado, and whether or not the kids would really need to be in school. I'm a teacher, if I thought they needed to be in school, I could do something about it. If we stayed here they wouldn't even be starting till the end of August.
Gunner is going to school from mid July till the end of August, so I decided that we are not going to Colorado.
At least not yet.
We will wait till Gunner gets back from Knox, and then he can get a house and we can move out there. He doesn't have to race out there now, and can spend time on leave with the kids. He can stay in the barracks, and we can spend August relaxing.
I wonder if there are any triathlons in August....
Anyway, I started thinking about why I wanted to be in Colorado, and whether or not the kids would really need to be in school. I'm a teacher, if I thought they needed to be in school, I could do something about it. If we stayed here they wouldn't even be starting till the end of August.
Gunner is going to school from mid July till the end of August, so I decided that we are not going to Colorado.
At least not yet.
We will wait till Gunner gets back from Knox, and then he can get a house and we can move out there. He doesn't have to race out there now, and can spend time on leave with the kids. He can stay in the barracks, and we can spend August relaxing.
I wonder if there are any triathlons in August....
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
I heart PCSing
Not really, right now.
Housing will be available at the end of the summer. Not a problem, we want to live in it and not be bothered with fixing things or being tied down to a house, etc. I love simplicity...sort of.
Gunner leaves less than a week after we get there. He'll be back at the end of the summer. School starts there at the beginning of August, so I feel like I need to be there. Apparently, after teaching for a year, I have learned that I am one of the few people at the "great place" that believes their children should go to school every.single.day. So I could keep them out, but I won't.
School starts here at the end of August. So if we stayed here (don't worry mom, I know there is a 30 day limit) then we would miss the start of school anyway. If we go, do we stay in a hotel for a 6-7 weeks?
I found one that would work, but it wasn't exactly in an area or had reviews that appealed to me. There is a military one that we could do, but they only book for three days at a time and then after our three days, we could renew, but there is a chance that someone of a higher priority would come along and we would have to leave. Move out of a hotel we have been living in with three kids and a husband gone? Not appealing. I guess we could rent an apartment, get no phone or internet (I love my iPhone) and live with the bare necessities for a few months and hope that they let us out of the lease to move on post.
Gunner wants to head out there next week and scout out the situation. Maybe he should wait till I get there on the 15th and then we can look. He has to be there on the 10th, so I guess he could live in the barracks for a few days or so. Wonder if we can all live in the barracks? Surely it would be easy to hide three small children and a spouse?
And how come the Army guest house is $80 a night with no kitchen? At Lewis we stayed there for weeks and it was less than $30 a night and had a kitchen....and a maid!
I'm not too stressed yet, since I aced my test today (I think) and finished my hour long presentation, which wasn't an hour but he said it was great. I had a great workout this morning and have hit the gym every day this week, and I get to sleep in tomorrow.
I'll save the worrying for another day, I have pushups and crunches to do before bed!
Housing will be available at the end of the summer. Not a problem, we want to live in it and not be bothered with fixing things or being tied down to a house, etc. I love simplicity...sort of.
Gunner leaves less than a week after we get there. He'll be back at the end of the summer. School starts there at the beginning of August, so I feel like I need to be there. Apparently, after teaching for a year, I have learned that I am one of the few people at the "great place" that believes their children should go to school every.single.day. So I could keep them out, but I won't.
School starts here at the end of August. So if we stayed here (don't worry mom, I know there is a 30 day limit) then we would miss the start of school anyway. If we go, do we stay in a hotel for a 6-7 weeks?
I found one that would work, but it wasn't exactly in an area or had reviews that appealed to me. There is a military one that we could do, but they only book for three days at a time and then after our three days, we could renew, but there is a chance that someone of a higher priority would come along and we would have to leave. Move out of a hotel we have been living in with three kids and a husband gone? Not appealing. I guess we could rent an apartment, get no phone or internet (I love my iPhone) and live with the bare necessities for a few months and hope that they let us out of the lease to move on post.
Gunner wants to head out there next week and scout out the situation. Maybe he should wait till I get there on the 15th and then we can look. He has to be there on the 10th, so I guess he could live in the barracks for a few days or so. Wonder if we can all live in the barracks? Surely it would be easy to hide three small children and a spouse?
And how come the Army guest house is $80 a night with no kitchen? At Lewis we stayed there for weeks and it was less than $30 a night and had a kitchen....and a maid!
I'm not too stressed yet, since I aced my test today (I think) and finished my hour long presentation, which wasn't an hour but he said it was great. I had a great workout this morning and have hit the gym every day this week, and I get to sleep in tomorrow.
I'll save the worrying for another day, I have pushups and crunches to do before bed!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Still PCSing
Gunner finally got clearing papers on Friday and we hit the road to spend the weekend with my brother and his family.
Saturday morning my brother and I ran 3 miles on a great track in the Memorial area. Talk about great people watching. Of course I had to pass the skinny husband and wife that were running with their cute (maybe 6 or 7 month old) triplets twice, so I felt kind of blubbery. It's all good.
We swam all afternoon Saturday and had a picnic. Had a neighborhood movie party and my kids tested out the playset my brother built. He assured me that he jumped all over it before turning the girls and Junior loose. Whew.
Spent time with my SIL and their absolutely perfect little baby boy. He's so good!!!
Sunday morning my brother and I swam.
I met up with old friends from my sailing days at Casa Mare, Karen and Kari and their families. We finally experienced guitar hero. I was not good at all, but Em was a pretty good drummer.
We drove home and I studied.
I'm halfway through my class and have been busy preparing my presentation and working on reading our book on poverty. Scary stuff.
Abs leaves tomorrow morning with my mom on her big dinosaur adventure. I can't wait to hear all about it!!! She will go on an excavation, meet with a paleontologist, and lots, lots, more. For my dino-loving daughter, it will be the perfect trip to Utah.
I hit the gym this morning to run, and went out riding tonight. I am trying to cut 10 minutes off of my bike time. Probably a bit ambitious to cut 10 minutes off, but I'll give it 110% trying! It's amazing how dead the streets are in the evening in my mom's retirement community. They must all be inside watching tv and getting ready for bed. I didn't feel like I was going to be run over.
Our stuff has arrived in Colorado, and eventually Gunner will make his way there so that he can find a place for us to stay. We apparently got deposit waivers for water and at our apartment that we lived in for 4 months 6 1/2 years ago. The apartment complex has changed management numerous times, and we never had to pay water, so we are trying to iron out all the details. Gunner got a letter from the apartment complex and we are hoping that it will take care of both problems.
We are enjoying our last few weeks in Texas, and Em will head to Camp PineCove this Sunday. They have military scholarships available, and she had such a great experience last time that we are sure she will this time, and hopefully not break her arm the first day!
Back to the books....
Saturday morning my brother and I ran 3 miles on a great track in the Memorial area. Talk about great people watching. Of course I had to pass the skinny husband and wife that were running with their cute (maybe 6 or 7 month old) triplets twice, so I felt kind of blubbery. It's all good.
We swam all afternoon Saturday and had a picnic. Had a neighborhood movie party and my kids tested out the playset my brother built. He assured me that he jumped all over it before turning the girls and Junior loose. Whew.
Spent time with my SIL and their absolutely perfect little baby boy. He's so good!!!
Sunday morning my brother and I swam.
I met up with old friends from my sailing days at Casa Mare, Karen and Kari and their families. We finally experienced guitar hero. I was not good at all, but Em was a pretty good drummer.
We drove home and I studied.
I'm halfway through my class and have been busy preparing my presentation and working on reading our book on poverty. Scary stuff.
Abs leaves tomorrow morning with my mom on her big dinosaur adventure. I can't wait to hear all about it!!! She will go on an excavation, meet with a paleontologist, and lots, lots, more. For my dino-loving daughter, it will be the perfect trip to Utah.
I hit the gym this morning to run, and went out riding tonight. I am trying to cut 10 minutes off of my bike time. Probably a bit ambitious to cut 10 minutes off, but I'll give it 110% trying! It's amazing how dead the streets are in the evening in my mom's retirement community. They must all be inside watching tv and getting ready for bed. I didn't feel like I was going to be run over.
Our stuff has arrived in Colorado, and eventually Gunner will make his way there so that he can find a place for us to stay. We apparently got deposit waivers for water and at our apartment that we lived in for 4 months 6 1/2 years ago. The apartment complex has changed management numerous times, and we never had to pay water, so we are trying to iron out all the details. Gunner got a letter from the apartment complex and we are hoping that it will take care of both problems.
We are enjoying our last few weeks in Texas, and Em will head to Camp PineCove this Sunday. They have military scholarships available, and she had such a great experience last time that we are sure she will this time, and hopefully not break her arm the first day!
Back to the books....
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tomorrow?
They assure Gunner that tomorrow he will definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, double pinky promise, that he will have his clearing papers tomorrow.
We can hope!
He's already cleared his unit, housing, and a few other things, so the list of things on his list of things, should be minimal. He can't start leave until the magical clearing papers are found, completed, and he signs out of "The Great Place".
We are living with my mom, which is interesting in itself. She doesn't like noise or chaos, so try keeping three noisy children on their best behavior all the time is a recipe for disaster. Add in my two nephews that my mom is babysitting while their mom is on a business trip, and you have even more chaos. I hate being homeless.
We are going to my brother's house this weekend to get away from it all. He only has one kid, one dog, and 2 cats. It will also be the first time Gunner meets his newest nephew that is now almost a year old. Last deployment it was his son he had to meet. We will also be telling them goodbye until they come to vacation in Colorado and become ski bums with me.
I suck at skiing. We went once in the Alps, and I just never got the hang of it. I now blame it on the fact that I was pregnant with Em and didn't know it! I am determined to learn in CO and get good at it--okay, I will settle for just being able to get down a hill in one piece and off the bunny slopes!
I'm trying to crank out school work left and right, plus train for the triathlon on July 12th.
Gunner went swimming and running with me Tuesday night. It was wonderful!!! Unfortunately, the kids didn't stay in bed, so it won't be happening again. Togetherness must be overrated somewhere, so we will settle for splitting up the workouts till they are grown, it's all good.
I'm off to another fun-filled day of class....
We can hope!
He's already cleared his unit, housing, and a few other things, so the list of things on his list of things, should be minimal. He can't start leave until the magical clearing papers are found, completed, and he signs out of "The Great Place".
We are living with my mom, which is interesting in itself. She doesn't like noise or chaos, so try keeping three noisy children on their best behavior all the time is a recipe for disaster. Add in my two nephews that my mom is babysitting while their mom is on a business trip, and you have even more chaos. I hate being homeless.
We are going to my brother's house this weekend to get away from it all. He only has one kid, one dog, and 2 cats. It will also be the first time Gunner meets his newest nephew that is now almost a year old. Last deployment it was his son he had to meet. We will also be telling them goodbye until they come to vacation in Colorado and become ski bums with me.
I suck at skiing. We went once in the Alps, and I just never got the hang of it. I now blame it on the fact that I was pregnant with Em and didn't know it! I am determined to learn in CO and get good at it--okay, I will settle for just being able to get down a hill in one piece and off the bunny slopes!
I'm trying to crank out school work left and right, plus train for the triathlon on July 12th.
Gunner went swimming and running with me Tuesday night. It was wonderful!!! Unfortunately, the kids didn't stay in bed, so it won't be happening again. Togetherness must be overrated somewhere, so we will settle for splitting up the workouts till they are grown, it's all good.
I'm off to another fun-filled day of class....
Monday, June 15, 2009
Decisions, Decisions
Since my class gets out on the 9th, what's a few extra days in Texas? My friend T and I signed up to do another triathlon July 12th!!! I can't wait! These things are addicting, it's all I have thought about--ways to improve my time, etc. I ran Sat, biked Sunday, and swam today. Now I just need to up my amounts and get back in the grove.
I need to find my goggles before I swim again since my computer screen is a huge blur from all the chlorine in the pool.
Gunner still does not have clearing papers. Apparently they were doing everyone at once, and are now overwhelmed and extremely far behind. Gunner was supposed to have cleared and been on leave for 4 days by now. He's still waiting on clearing papers, but they assured everyone today that they would have them tomorrow. Famous last words? Let's hope not!
Junior is back at daycare and so far they haven't called us. (knock on wood)
Abs and Em have made it through the first week and today of summer camp with no mishaps--minus the boy Abs pinched because he was being annoying. She was not happy that she lost tv over that, but she sat in her room and read quietly that evening.
Houston this weekend to hang out with my brother and his family. I've got tons of studying and training to do before then!
I need to find my goggles before I swim again since my computer screen is a huge blur from all the chlorine in the pool.
Gunner still does not have clearing papers. Apparently they were doing everyone at once, and are now overwhelmed and extremely far behind. Gunner was supposed to have cleared and been on leave for 4 days by now. He's still waiting on clearing papers, but they assured everyone today that they would have them tomorrow. Famous last words? Let's hope not!
Junior is back at daycare and so far they haven't called us. (knock on wood)
Abs and Em have made it through the first week and today of summer camp with no mishaps--minus the boy Abs pinched because he was being annoying. She was not happy that she lost tv over that, but she sat in her room and read quietly that evening.
Houston this weekend to hang out with my brother and his family. I've got tons of studying and training to do before then!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Vocabulary Acquisition Model
Sounds exciting right?
I wish I could figure out how to make an hour presentation on the subject. It's so dry, I've never heard of it, and I don't want to speak for an hour in front of a class with my peers.
Two article reviews completed, one more to go.
Need to update my resume and scan my transcripts for Colorado.
I have the forms to get fingerprinted.
I ran 3 miles at the gym yesterday and felt super fast....granted my mom lives in a retirement community. Let's hope I am that active at their age!
I ran 3 miles last night too. I should have held off since I had taken 5 days off while we were moving. I'm sore today. Tonight I see a date with the trainer in front of the tv to watch Army Wives. I hate the whole Denise story.
Gunner and the kids and I desperately need to sort through everything that we brought and get organized, or I will lose my mind.
I found out that my classes go till June 9th, which means I am here an additional day.
I am glued to FB today as my triathlon trainer is doing the Escape from Alcatraz!
......I finished the third article. Started on my powerpoint presentation, visited with my sister and nephews, my trainer escaped from Alcatraz, and we are drinking wine so that we don't have to hand carry the bottles with us. Gunner and I don't know the difference between good or bad wine, so this should be interesting.
Better post this before we get too far into the experimentation.
I wish I could figure out how to make an hour presentation on the subject. It's so dry, I've never heard of it, and I don't want to speak for an hour in front of a class with my peers.
Two article reviews completed, one more to go.
Need to update my resume and scan my transcripts for Colorado.
I have the forms to get fingerprinted.
I ran 3 miles at the gym yesterday and felt super fast....granted my mom lives in a retirement community. Let's hope I am that active at their age!
I ran 3 miles last night too. I should have held off since I had taken 5 days off while we were moving. I'm sore today. Tonight I see a date with the trainer in front of the tv to watch Army Wives. I hate the whole Denise story.
Gunner and the kids and I desperately need to sort through everything that we brought and get organized, or I will lose my mind.
I found out that my classes go till June 9th, which means I am here an additional day.
I am glued to FB today as my triathlon trainer is doing the Escape from Alcatraz!
......I finished the third article. Started on my powerpoint presentation, visited with my sister and nephews, my trainer escaped from Alcatraz, and we are drinking wine so that we don't have to hand carry the bottles with us. Gunner and I don't know the difference between good or bad wine, so this should be interesting.
Better post this before we get too far into the experimentation.
Friday, June 12, 2009
We made it
With just minutes to spare, we (I mean Gunner) finished cleaning the house and were ready for the inspection. Abs and I returned from her appointment in just enough time to use the bathroom one last time. At least I know my bathroom is clean!
The driver with the full truck showed up this morning to do paperwork and make sure that the rest of our shipment got picked up. Who knows if they will be reunited anytime soon, but I suppose that will make it more fun. My vote is for the flat screen to be delivered first.
We hung out all day at the outlaws where Junior's eyes swelled up and we couldn't locate the benadryl. He was tired and miserable so I left in the middle of dinner with Junior and went to my mom's. I asked Gunner to bring me a dessert, thinking that a nice chocolate brownie or piece of cheesecake would hit the spot after this week of moving.
Gunner showed up several hours later, after switching out cars with his parents. I couldn't wait to get my hands on that dessert. I found two boxes of leftovers and no dessert.
I asked Gunner and he opened the box with the steak and pointed to a brownie size bite of a brownie. I was devastated. You know that feeling where your mouth is watering thinking about what is to come? Sigh.......
I'll just get a good long run in tomorrow morning and know that I can skip a mile because I didn't eat that brownie. I never liked chocolate until I was pregnant with Em, so I can't be missing much, right?
I think I remember my parents having a similar incident early in their marriage. They ordered dessert, my mom took out a screaming kid, and my dad ate both pieces of pie and didn't get hers to go.
I wonder if he ever did it again?
The driver with the full truck showed up this morning to do paperwork and make sure that the rest of our shipment got picked up. Who knows if they will be reunited anytime soon, but I suppose that will make it more fun. My vote is for the flat screen to be delivered first.
We hung out all day at the outlaws where Junior's eyes swelled up and we couldn't locate the benadryl. He was tired and miserable so I left in the middle of dinner with Junior and went to my mom's. I asked Gunner to bring me a dessert, thinking that a nice chocolate brownie or piece of cheesecake would hit the spot after this week of moving.
Gunner showed up several hours later, after switching out cars with his parents. I couldn't wait to get my hands on that dessert. I found two boxes of leftovers and no dessert.
I asked Gunner and he opened the box with the steak and pointed to a brownie size bite of a brownie. I was devastated. You know that feeling where your mouth is watering thinking about what is to come? Sigh.......
I'll just get a good long run in tomorrow morning and know that I can skip a mile because I didn't eat that brownie. I never liked chocolate until I was pregnant with Em, so I can't be missing much, right?
I think I remember my parents having a similar incident early in their marriage. They ordered dessert, my mom took out a screaming kid, and my dad ate both pieces of pie and didn't get hers to go.
I wonder if he ever did it again?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
I heart PCSing?
The packers came and packed us.
The driver came this morning. The loaders never showed. Team 2 was called in.
The estimator thought the driver could fit our load on.....after he picked up three other ones.
We don't fit. So now they are trying to decide what to do. It's 4:37 pm. I hope they don't quit at 5.
During all this daycare calls me in class and tell me that they think Junior has impetigo and needs to be picked up immediately.
Oma comes and stays with the house. Gunner gets Junior to the er. I'm in class
Gunner still isn't home, but the doctors don't know what is wrong with him. They are putting him on antibiotics.
So I am here at home. Opa went to get Abs. Gunner and Junior are at the hospital still.
Half our stuff is outside and it's about to storm. All I can do is laugh!
-- Post From My iPhone
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Junior
This was taken at our hotel room. Don't you love the cowlick? Next time I think we will take the kids so that they can see me compete. At the Danskin, a lot of people picked up their children and ran across the finish line with them. Gunner said that listening to all the husbands, dads, sons, and boyfriends talk about how proud they were of their racer, was inspiring. They had cancer survivors, some undergoing treatment, and everyone had a story about why they were doing this. I signed up on a whim, but it was probably the best decision I have made, and I am hooked! I plan on doing a lot more, and can't wait to sign up for the next one! I'm sad that we are leaving because there are a lot coming up in this area that my friends are now going to do. Some are starting out as part of a relay, and that's a great way to begin!! I'm just proud of all of them for giving it their best shot and training to do something that they didn't think was possible.
More After
Sign the my teacher friends made for me!
Three teachers from our school surprised us by coming to cheer us on!
I'm done!!!
A picture of my medal.
My medal and my unofficial time. My official time was 1:34.09
12 mile bike
Leaving T1. I had to wait for the pro that was coming in from the bike.
T leaving on the bike.
Coming in from the bike. My chain popped off on a hill, but I flipped my bike, repaired it, and hit the road again.
Headed into T2.
Tomorrow
The movers come tomorrow, bright and early at 7:30.
We have NOTHING packed.
We are not ready at all.
I am not panicking yet, as it is only 7:20 p.m. Why worry yet?
I'm madly trying to print articles for my article reviews this semester.
I do not think we will be sleeping tonight.
We borrowed the outlaws pressure washer to do the lawnmower and the grill. The swingset needs to be taken down and thrown away.
I still have bags that need to go to certain people. Ugh.
I hope they don't charge too much for being over our weight limit.
We have NOTHING packed.
We are not ready at all.
I am not panicking yet, as it is only 7:20 p.m. Why worry yet?
I'm madly trying to print articles for my article reviews this semester.
I do not think we will be sleeping tonight.
We borrowed the outlaws pressure washer to do the lawnmower and the grill. The swingset needs to be taken down and thrown away.
I still have bags that need to go to certain people. Ugh.
I hope they don't charge too much for being over our weight limit.
Run 3.1 miles
Coming into the finish.
Getting ready to cross the finish line. That's not my time!
Swim 800 meters
I used to be a swimmer, so I wasn't worried about the swim at all. I was just nervous about the whole darn thing!
Trying to convince myself that I was good to go.
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